Photo: Press Office of the President of Kazakhstan/X
Eurasia
01/06/2025 18:47
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivered a keynote speech at the Astana International Forum 2025 on May 30, during a special session co-hosted with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In her address, she emphasized the importance of courageous leadership in today's divided world, stating, "The homogeneous blocs of the past no longer exist. Now is the time to act with the values and boldness our people expect."
Meloni highlighted Italy's pioneering role in fostering EU-Central Asia relations, referencing the inaugural EU-Central Asia Summit held in April 2025, which elevated the relationship to a strategic partnership. She also underscored the significance of the Middle Corridor—a trade route linking Southeast Asia and China to Europe—describing it as "probably the most promising and fascinating challenge."
Meloni outlined key areas for collaboration between Italy and Central Asia, including energy, critical raw materials, environmental initiatives, and infrastructure development. She cited the Italian Climate Fund as a tool to strengthen joint environmental projects and advocated for enhanced cooperation in both digital and physical infrastructure.
